What MAGA Can Teach Democrats About Organizing

The article in the New Yorker, “What MAGA Can Teach Democrats About Organizing,” is very persuasive. It argues that MAGA has outperformed Democrats in long-term grassroots organizing. While Democrats excel at short-term mobilization, such as protests and candidate meetings, MAGA networks focus on building year‑round community relationships that sustain political power.

Dems are good at “mobilizing,” but must engage in “organizing.”

The less effective approach is Mobilizing. This is about getting people to take specific action, such as attending an event or speech. The problem is that when the activity ends, the energy fizzles out. There is no continuity.

Organizing is attracting people who agree on a central political point, regardless of their views on other issues. For MAGA, ideological purity isn’t required. It doesn’t matter if people agree on everything. The movement welcomes churches, gun clubs, homeschooling groups, and neighborhood networks—and anyone with a red MAGA hat.

The bottom line is: for Dems to win in 2026, we must learn from successful groups like Mothers Against Drunk Driving, the first Obama Campaign, the Faith & Freedom Coalition, and Down Home North Carolina. These groups succeeded by:

• Getting active in like-minded local community groups
• Encouraging people to run for poll worker positions or local party leadership.
• Focusing on local issues like school board or county supervisor elections.
• Staging fun events where people could talk about things besides politics.

And I would add, focus on three issues: affordability, saving public schools, and healthcare.

Democratic organizing often relies on a national headquarters, rather than local infrastructure. The better approach is to give local chapters information with a startup donation. They are free to gain supporters by:

• Being active year-round,
• Getting to know grassroots leaders.
• Asking people what they need.
• And becoming a place for like-minded activists to meet, regardless of their views on Palestine, religion, transgender rights, or foreign policy.

Locally, some Democrats are already doing this:

• A Democratic territory lead in LD18, where I was chair, holds monthly meetings of her entire neighborhood at her house, where she prepares delicious enchiladas.
• Democrats of Greater Tucson hosts a monthly happy hour at Brother John’s restaurant on Stone Avenue, where people can meet, make friends, and connect with local candidates in a cozy atmosphere.
• LD18 organized a Democratic fundraiser featuring a local Hawaiian dancing group. I got a Trump piñata from a local business, and attendees paid $5 each to take a whack at it. Watch the video of this taking place.
• Democrats of Greater Tucson, where I am a board member, markets itself through fun events. We put the FUN in fundraising and PARTY in the Democratic Party. We’re holding a St. Patrick’s Day Party on March 15 at the exclusive Don Martini club downtown, featuring corned beef and cabbage. You are all invited.

The conclusion is that long-term political success depends on durable relationships and social interaction, not just moments of outrage or get-out-the-vote drives. This way, Democrats can attract the kind of people who will consistently support Democratic candidates.

Click Bit.ly/StPatrick2026.